Kenneth Lesmann

Minot

Kenneth Allen Lesmann, age 68 of Minot, formerly of Westhope, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at his home in Minot after a valiant fight with lung cancer. His funeral will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Westhope. His visitation will be Friday, starting at 4:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at the Westhope Cemetery.

Kenneth Allen Lesmann, the son of Albert and Imogene (Armer) Lesmann, was born in Westhope, ND on May 30, 1957. He graduated from Westhope High School in 1975. Ken started working at the age of 14 at Johnny’s Standard in Westhope and continued working at various places including Johnny’s Standard, Hams Well Service, Ward Williston, and Northern Ready Mix. On August 14, 1976, he was united in marriage to Keryl Jespersen. In their 49 years of marriage, they were blessed with children: Kari, Kasey, Karter, and Konni. In 1989, the family moved to Beach, ND. Ken worked for Walz Truck Repair and later Brengle’s Sale and Service. In 1997, they moved to Minot, ND where Ken worked for Cummins Sales and Service, followed by Jerome’s Body Shop before retiring in July of 2020.

Ken dedicated much of his life serving others through his work as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. With unwavering courage and compassion, he answered the call at all hours, always putting the needs of others before his own. He was a volunteer firefighter on the Westhope Fire Department, Beach Fire Department and an honorary member of the Burlington Fire Department. He was also an EMT/EMTI on the Golden Valley County ambulance for 5 years.

Ken took great pride in his 1947 Ford pickup which he restored in 2008. He entered it in several car shows and won many awards. He stated he wanted this to be his final ride from the church to the cemetery.

Ken is survived by his wife, Keryl; their children Kari (Tim) Stiel, Minot, ND; Kasey (Sylvia) Lesmann, Hazen, ND; Karter (Allison) Lesmann, Burlington, ND; and Konni Dorn (Jamie Reeves), St. Helens, OR. Grandchildren, Lane Banister, MacKenzie Hintz, Maddison Stiel, Kaylee Lesmann, Bryce Lesmann, Austin Lesmann, Jameson Lesmann, Gage Lesmann, and Jayce Graham and great-grandson Samuel Hintz, and another great-grandson due in January.

Father Albert Lesmann, Westhope, ND; Brothers Tim (Diane) Lesmann, Westhope, ND; Todd (Laura) Lesmann, Nampa, ID; Sisters Cathy (Mike) Werner, Westhope, ND; Linda (Greg) Laber, Souris, ND; Holly Gerou, Bismarck, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Imogene Lesmann, nephew Justin Laber and niece Jena Jespersen, father-in-law Bert Jespersen and mother-in-law Luella Jespersen.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Published by The Minot Daily News, November 18, 2025.